Small ball becomes long ball for Lockport

Soon as the hit-and-run sign was flashed, all Katelyn Braget thought about was making contact.

That she did, all the way over the right-field fence for a two-run home run Thursday that sparked No. 7 Lockport to a 5-1 victory over No. 4 Stagg in a Southwest Suburban Blue showdown.

"It felt really smooth, and you knew it was right," said the DePaul-bound Braget of her first-inning shot. "I was trying to go to the right side, and I got all of it. It felt like a home run the way it went off the bat."

Kayleigh Bertram scored ahead of Braget and launched a two-run double in the fourth inning as Lockport (18-4, 7-2) maximized its six hits.

"This is our third year batting back-to-back, so we know how to work the hit-and-run," said Bertram, a junior second baseman. "I just take off and I have confidence Katelyn will make contact. It was a hard hit, I looked up and knew it was gone. This was an easy hit-and-run."

Stagg (16-5, 6-3) came into Thursday's game with 12 shutouts, making Lockport's offensive showing all the more impressive.

The visiting Chargers had eight hits off Lockport starter Dana Bowler and relief pitcher Alyssa Vorel, but stranded 10 baserunners. Vorel got the final four outs in relief.

The only time Stagg cashed in on its scoring opportunities was Kayla Green's RBI single in the fourth inning. Even then, the Chargers left runners on second and third.

The Porters face talented Oak Park on Saturday in a doubleheader at Lockport. Neither program will forget the greatest comeback in state title-game history when Lockport overcame a 6-0 deficit to claim the 2004 Class AA championship with an 8-6 victory.

"I remember that title game, and it seems like it's always going to be a special game when we play them," Braget said. "They have a really good program, but I think we can beat them if we keep up our confidence."